Kazakh Authorities Amnesty Six Zhanaozen Clash Suspects

Authorities in Kazakhstan have amnestied six suspects who were detained for alleged involvement in the December violence in the western town of Zhanaozen.

Those clashes between striking oil workers and police left at least 16 people dead.

An official of the Prosecutor-General's Office, Saparbek Nurpeisov, visited Zhanaozen on February 29.

During the visit, he said the majority of 29 suspects who were detained for alleged involvement in the clashes cannot be amnestied now as they face serious charges, but he confirmed that six of the suspects have been cleared for release.

International and domestic human rights activists have criticized Kazakh authorities for opening fire at demonstrators during the Zhanaozen unrest and for the later arrests of oil workers and opposition activists.